Article by the experts: Jessica C. Kiefte-de Jong et al.
The possibility of living a long and healthy life is attainable for many individuals and communities, and nutritional elements, along with other aspects of lifestyle, play a crucial role in influencing the likelihood of healthy aging. However, studies focusing on the effects of individual nutrients or foods on the aging process often yield contradictory results, without taking into account the global perspective of dietary habits. For this reason, the use of dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean pattern, and specific dietary recommendations, such as approaches to controlling hypertension, the Polymeal, and the American Healthy Eating Index, have begun to be adopted to promote lifelong health.
Dietary patterns that are developed after the study are often described in relation to age-related diseases, but their widespread application can be challenging, as they are designed specifically for the population in question. In contrast, dietary guidelines tend to be formulated with a focus on disease prevention or nutritional deficiencies, leaving their efficacy in promoting health outcomes in the background.
The demographic group of people over the age of 65 is experiencing rapid growth worldwide. This shift in the global age distribution is due in large part to declining birth rates, increasing economic development, medical advances that reduce mortality, and improvements in areas such as hygiene, nutrition, lifestyle, and preventive care.
Aging is often defined as a continuous process involving the loss of functional capacity and an increased risk of disease and death. However, aging is not limited to the presence of disease but is a process that begins early in life and is influenced by experiences and exposures throughout the lifespan. A 'healthy aging phenotype' can be understood as a state in which metabolic, hormonal, and neuroendocrine control systems remain in optimal functioning at the organ, tissue, and molecular levels. This phenotype not only reduces the risk of major chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and dementia but also preserves cognitive and physical function.
Despite advances in life expectancy due to better medical care and diagnosis, the number of years lived with disabilities and diseases is on the rise. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy aging phenotype as a key public health challenge. Dietary habits are one of the significant modifiable factors that can influence the preservation of healthy aging. For example, a higher intake of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, while the intake of trans fatty acids is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
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